DEERFIELD BEACH — Ronnie Brown isn’t sure whether he’ll be back with the Miami Dolphins next season, whenever that might be. He isn’t sure how interested the Dolphins are in resigning him, or what the Dolphins might want him to work on most during the offseason.

The NFL’s uncertain labor situation has left a lot of free agents in limbo, Brown included. One thing he knows, though, is that he wants to be back. That South Florida, for him, is home. At least as home as home can be for a guy who grew up in Georgia before starring at Auburn.

Yes, this is Brown’s community – and he was back in it here on Wednesday morning, attempting to make a difference. Brown spent about three hours at Deerfield Beach High, where he addressed hundreds of students about his “23 ways to stop youth violence program.”

It’s no secret where the “23” comes from. It is, of course, Brown’s number – a number he hopes to continue to wear for the Dolphins. Yet he admitted that because of the NFL labor issues – teams have not been allowed contact with free agents because of the lockout – he doesn’t know where he stands.

“It’s tough,” he said during a break during presentations. “Honestly, I feel that I want to be back because I started something here and got drafted here. I feel that potentially we have a good football team. I think if we play to our capabilities we could be pretty successful – not only in our conference but in the league.”

Ronnie Brown wants to be a Dolphin in 2011 but knows Miami could be focusing on running backs in the NFL Draft.

Since the Dolphins drafted him in 2005, Brown has rushed for nearly 5,000 yards. He has scored 38 touchdowns, rushing and receiving combined, and ranks third in franchise history in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

It’s difficult for Brown to think that he might have played his final game in a Miami uniform. Yet he understands, too, that could be his reality.

“It’s hard because you don’t really know what they think in terms of your skill set,” he said. “Especially when you can’t communicate, there’s no back-and-forth that lets you know, ‘This is what I think, this is what I think you need to work on.’ It’s tough from that standpoint.”

Because of the NFL lockout, which is itself in limbo after a federal judge ordered an injunction earlier this week, Brown hasn’t had any contact with new Dolphins offensive coordinator Brian Daboll. Nor has he been able to communicate with any other teams.

So Brown has been left to do the same thing as others in his situation: work out individually, spend time on personal matters – Brown is helping to plan his wedding, which will come in June – and wait for a resolution.

Wherever he winds up, Brown is hoping he’s able to catch a good number of passes out of the backfield – or maybe even line up at times as a slot receiver. He smiled on Wednesday when he thought about it.

“I would like to,” he said. “Just growing up, even in high school, I was able to move out, play slot a little bit – do some of those things in college, I was able to catch the ball a little bit. And then a couple years ago, the offense with [coach Cam] Cameron, I was able to utilize those skills and trying to catch the ball a little more.

“My goal is to be a well-rounded running back – not just one of those one-dimensional guys.”

Brown, who has been splitting time between South Florida and in Atlanta, said he has been taking spin classes and that he often participates in “a fast-twitch class.” He recently spent some time working out with Vernon Carey, the Dolphins veteran offensive tackle.

Though he’ll turn 30 in December – a dangerous age for running backs – Brown still believes he has a lot left. His experience, he said, would be a positive in any locker room.

“Physically, I feel as good as I’ve felt since I’ve been in the league,” he said. “ … I think I bring leadership, not only in a vocal standpoint, but also just trying to do things the right way. Making sure that I’m not late, being accountable …

“I’m going to give everything I have.”

That’s true for off the field, too. Brown gave two separate talks on Wednesday and then spent a time mingling and talking to students individually. He posed for plenty of pictures. Shook lots of hands. And hoped his message – that teens avoid using violence to settle disputes – sunk in.

Brown and his partners Teen Truth Live gave the same presentation on Monday at Fort Lauderdale High. They’ll be at two more South Florida high schools next week. Between then and now, Brown said he plans to watch the NFL Draft when it begins on Thursday night.

Though his future with the Dolphins is uncertain, he still refers to them as “we.”

“I feel like there are some areas we could improve in,” he said. “Obviously, I think they’re focusing on the running back position. But I think as far as the interior line, [I think] getting a little bit of stability [would be good] … I think as individuals if we all take precedence on ourselves and realize that we can all improve I think that will make the team better in itself, no matter what we do in the draft.”

Comments (260 Comments)

Ocala Howie says:
April 27, 2011 at 6:35 am
I know the Falcons fans are real happy Parcells came here. Parcells just added 3 more years of mediocrity to the ever growing list, while they got right back on track in one season…
GO PHINS!!!
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Are you serious?I would take Jake Long anyday of the week over Ryan.Long is the best OT in the game and a future HOFer you can’t the same things about Ryan.
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I wasnt worried to much about Long VS Ryan
Im just saying this team was a disaster when Parcells got here and its still a mess today…
GO PHINS!!!

11-5, 7-9, 7-9 after going 1-15. I expected a MUCH improved team last year & when it didn’t happen I was just as disappointed as you are BUT we’ve gotten much younger & I believe this is going to be a good draft for us.

I’m so freakin’ confused about where Mallet’s gonna go in the draft, I’d run, not walk away from a bet about it. I’ve read several 2nd round predictions..several first round predictions…and at least 2 different mocks had him go 10th overall to the Skins.

Some here will discount the top 10 mocks, but not discount the guy who said he’s a 3rd rounder…while some will discount the 3rd rounder and swear he’s a top ten pick. I’m saying they’re all guessing. Because I really really want this kid, and I haven’t a clue whether to be rooting for us to trade down and get him or just pray we grab him at 15…if he’s even still on the board.

He’s by far the most interesting early round talent in terms of where he’s been projected to go and the varying assesments (from Phil Simms saying “If he’s not a first round talent, then hell, I quit, because I obv. don’t know what it takes to play QB in this league” to Billick comparing him to Ryan Leaf).

I hear you on this. I have no idea where or how high (no pun intended) Mallett will go. My dream scenario is to trade down, still get Ingram & then take Mallett with our 2nd. Truth be told–I’d be pretty happy with either player BUT I do worry about the microscope that Mallett would be under if we take him with a first. I don’t think it’s fair for anyone to compare him to Leaf who turned out to be a psycho.

Brinksmanship for leverage is the move, when the players sued. They knew the had high-powered lawyers, a liberal judge, & the media on the labor side.

The biggest problem is that the judge made everything worse, as the government so often does, by “punishing the league” with a situation where no one knows if the old CBA should be followed, it’s wide-open without a CBA, or that they can wait on things until a new CBA is drawn up.

Now I realize that the players side says, Aw that’s just the league crying and this is only about money…not every other aspect of the NFL’s world.

However, with a disbanded union, the NFL is paralyzed about making any agreements and therefore cannot operate without a reasonable fear of being sued for collusion if any 2 teams agree on something.

The players have super-leverage and the owners are paralyzed.
Therefore we do not have anything useful. I would think at least a few lawyers are arguing over whether the draft should go on schedule, given the new collusion exposure and zero labor agreement.

The judge has ruled correctly, and now the owners want special treatment because they feel they cant operate without violating the law? Its simple, inact rules that dont violate anti-trust laws. if the league didnt want to be in this situation, they should have tried to hammer out a CBA in good faith, which they didnt. Its kinda like the law exempting me from driving the speed limit and me losing that exemption and then crying that I shouldnt be forced to obey the law so please let me continue to speed. It doesnt work that way, and the NFL now has to obey the law at least until the 8th circuit rules according to their conservative agenda and not according to the law. Then that will be appealed and eventually the League will lose, because they are standing on shakey legal ground.

GiGi, chill there a min. A lot of us was posting our condolences and how we felt about Mad Dog on a blog last nite when the news of Mandich’s passing broke.
It must have been before some other tribute blog today.
I don’t think anyone is dissing MadDog or not saddened by the tremendous loss and what he meant to this franchise over the years.

RIP Mad Dog!

Oh and Jim, will ya put in a good word with the football gods to bring us another Championship soon. Luv Ya Mad Dog.

“First, I think it is pretty sad that only 31 people took the time to pay tribute to Jim Mandich in the prior post ”

Gigi…

I personally paid my tributes and didn’t post any other talk on that blog. In my mind it wasn’t a place for that. So post count (in my case) is actually inversely proportional to how seriously I took that particular blog.

Omar has a job to do, and did it even a couple weeks ago when his mentor, someone he was very close to, died. I think it’s just as tacky you’d pass judgement on him for continuing to work today.

People mourn in different ways..and you can’t shame them into expressing it the way you’d express it.

Hyde wrote a great column today about including him in the honor roll this season..and I fully support that. You should check it out…but don’t look for my post down below it, because I didn’t reply to that blog and that means nothing.

Tim/Jahn – Mallett had to sit out a year after he transferred from Michigan to Arkansas. Through Mallett’s offseason workouts, practices, leadership, ability, etc., his Arkansas team mates voted him as a Team Captain before he ever played 1 game for them. That was just 1 of the positive comments that was mentioned/written about him. I’m just the messenger!!

Jahn – On Mallett, I would roll the dice that we can get Mallett anywhere before Seattle at #25. I think Minnesota is the only team ahead of us that would possibly pick him. I can see plenty of teams jumping into the bottom of rd 1 to take him. Just like I can see plenty of teams doing for Kaep, Ponder and Dalton. I would like to trade down with SD to 18, then trade down again to 23 with PHI and take Kaep or Mallett at 23. The net result with our trades is that we end up with 2 additional 3rd round picks.

Didn’t think I was being. Sometimes stuff comes across wrong on the net I guess.

I don’t think I’m any bigger mallet fan then anyone else.

In hydes blog he did a poll about who the FANS wanted for the first round pick..and the majority said they wanted to trade down (which isn’t really an answer for “who do you want to pick?” now is it?), but the second highest total…with a large distance to third was none other then your favorite slow lead footed, can’t handle pressure, can’t move his feet, drunkard, drug addicted QB. Ryan Mallet.

NJ PHIN FAN says:
April 27, 2011 at 4:06 pm
What’s up guys , i have a minute here ! I’m super busy and swamped ! Plus i’m covering and doing more works so i can have some free time for the draft ( i’ll have some free time to come on here to ) and more free time during the summer months ! First , RIP maddog mandich !!. Second i’d like hear some of the dolphin draft rumors your hearing ! I’m hearing dolphins trade down and like ingram . If miami stays they go defense ( pass rusher ) because that’s what ’s best available !. Ponder is really moving up the charts ! I told you guys von miller is a stud ! Now in top 2-3 !. Third , mike e , can you say SWEEEEEEEEEP , celtics are your daddy . HEAT ARE NEXT BABT !! Fourth , sweating out game 7 of bruins0 habs !!! fifth , got stuffed with lamb and other foods on easter , nothing like greek easter !! sixth , gigi , got your e mail and will get back to you , i love you !. Finally . i’ve been seeing this girl so that combined with busy work and easter weekend has kept me away . I will be in and out today but you’ll have my full attention the next 3-4 days , so leave some comments and i’ll read them and get back to you . BUCKLE UP YOUR CHINSTRAPS PRIMA DONNA’S , IT’S DRAFT TIME BABY !!!

NJ PHIN FAN says:
April 27, 2011 at 4:08 pm
OH , one more thing , THE NFL IS SUCH A MESS RIGHT NOW !that i don’t wanna waste my time and get a headache talking about that ! what the hell is going on LOL !! just get it straight already !!!!

Jahn: I saw your very nice comments and know a few others from here posted as well. I just found it kind of sad that so few people paid tribute on the post asking for tributes!

I hear ya GetterDone….just would have liked to see more regular mob members pay tribute to Mad Dog on the blog asking for tributes today, but that’s just me. I’ve lost a friend, a relative and Mad Dog in the past 10 days so I may be a little extra sensitive.

“Jahn – On Mallett, I would roll the dice that we can get Mallett anywhere before Seattle at #25. I think Minnesota is the only team ahead of us that would possibly pick him.”

Seems reasonable, but I think you are correct describing it as “rolling the dice” since it’s just about that part of the first round every year when a team trades UP to grab a guy they think has fallen too far. Rodgers and Quinn come to mind. There could be a couple teams past 23 that might be willing to trade ahead of us if we trade back to that slot, which would..in my mind…be a pretty transparent attempt to get Mallet and a 2nd rounder back too.

But it’s all speculative..I just believe in the GMs axiom: “if there’s 5 players you want right there, you can trade back 5 slots without missing out. If there’s 1 you can trade back 1. Anything else is sheer gambling”

(that’s a quote that I’ve heard Pat Kirwan say on the air and get agreement from at least 3 different NFL gms).

I like that. I’m hoping there are at LEAST 5 players that we like at 15. I just can’t even guess how high or how low Mallett will be taken & he’s the QB that I want BUT some teams do have red flags on him so IMO–it would really surprise me if he was taken before 15. Not b/c he doesn’t have the talent.

“Thank you & I’d personally like to apologize to you. I was SO disappointed with last season that I let it poison me. As a fan I expected more BUT the truth is that we are such a young team.”

“If Parcells handpicked Ireland & Sparano then these guys must know a hell of a lot more than I have been giving them credit for. The Odrick pick really unhinged me & after he got hurt I was calling for heads to roll BUT that is not the answer either. We need stability & we need to stick to a blueprint. Odrick was everything that Parcells/Ireland look for & it’s not anyone’s fault that he got hurt.”

So, it appears that WNP has been kidnapped by the Patience Brigade and put through a swift but punishing retraining program. It seems he’s been broken….A pity really, he was one of the dwindling stalwarts who have resisted the sirens call of wishful thinking and remained firmly planted in reality. The Patience Brigade has seized on their recent surge in membership and now moves to eliminate all opposition. ..I eagerly await their next move …We are few, but we are Legion. …hahahahahahahahahaha (Insidiously Evil Laughter)

“I don’t disagree with you guys that it’s brinksmanship (which I freakin’ despise..because its us FANS that they are putting on the brink), but the above statement can not be true. If they put it in a legal pleading..that’s as serious a challenge as it gets. It may not be the focal point of the pleading..but it’s a challenge nonetheless.”

That’s not true. You would be surprised at the crap people throw in pleading knowing full well that won’t get it or don’t want it. It is done for leverage. Any negotiation requires a degree of leverage. It is just like a millitary battle. Find the high ground and make your stand. This case will not be litigated. The draft is a non-issue but I do agree with you that both sides are screwing the fans in the process.

In terms of Mallet. I truly believe he goes in the 1st either to Minnesota at 12, us at 15 or Seattle at 25. It is also possible that some of the early 2nd round teams jump up to late 1st round to try to grab him.

Bill Parcells says Chad Henne was the Miami Dolphins’ pick because he was ‘not quite as expensive’

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
Reply

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CB says:
April 27, 2011 at 4:37 pm

Thanks for rubbing it in.
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Zonk-39 says:
April 27, 2011 at 4:38 pm

Well, we got what we paid for – nothimg! I have an idea, let’s NOT do that again…

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LMAO! Thats the same reason they didnt take Matt Ryan. And the same reason they trade down. The team only cares about making money. Winning is an afterthought. They cant compete with their cheap garbage QB’s. I told you guys and now its coming out! LMFAO!

Parcells lost it a long time ago. He destroyed the Miami Dolphins for yrs. to come with choosing Pat White and Chad Henne. He went real cheap with Henne and and look what we got for it. Parcells got what he paid for with Henne, resulting in a pure disaster for the team.

“So, it appears that WNP has been kidnapped by the Patience Brigade and put through a swift but punishing retraining program. It seems he’s been broken….A pity really, he was one of the dwindling stalwarts who have resisted the sirens call of wishful thinking and remained firmly planted in reality. The Patience Brigade has seized on their recent surge in membership and now moves to eliminate all opposition. ..I eagerly await their next move …We are few, but we are Legion. …hahahahahahahahahaha (Insidiously Evil Laughter)”

Bat,

For today. Let’s see what happens tomorrow after the first round. If I hear “& with the 15th pick the Miami Dolphins take Colin Kaepernick or DaQwan Bowers” I will throw my computer out my balcony & root for a lockout.

“That’s not true. You would be surprised at the crap people throw in pleading knowing full well that won’t get it or don’t want it. It is done for leverage.”

Well we’re looking at it from two different perspectives, and I understand yours. Mine is that when you’re not a legal professional, or used to seeing people accuse of something in writing..then putting it into a document that will likely be and remain public record permanently..it counts!

Again though..I understand your point, and the fact that you’re coming from a more educated legal background then me.

“15. DOLPHINS — DE Robert Quinn, North Carolina: (Omar Kelly, South Florida Sun-Sentinel) “The Dolphins would like a pass rusher to pair with Cameron Wake. They’ll probably try to trade down.”
”

Omar’s most recent beatwriter’s mock.

He doesn’t fit a need (AT ALL imho) but a talent like him slipping to 15 would create all kinds of trade value for us..and hell..he’s so damn talented, even if you couldn’t trade out…you probably have to take him.

I also doubt it..but the possibilities that these beat writer mocks bring about are very indicative of the contingencies that any GM may have to deal with.

If it happens in a beat writer mock..you can pretty much be sure that it COULD happen in the real draft. Just looking at the picks prior to the fins, I didn’t see a whole lot of headscratchers. Maybe Houston taking Smith instead of Quinn, but everything else looked fairly reasonable.

“For today. Let’s see what happens tomorrow after the first round. If I hear “& with the 15th pick the Miami Dolphins take Colin Kaepernick or DaQwan Bowers” I will throw my computer out my balcony & root for a lockout”.

WNP

Hmmmm ..I must measure my words as I cannot be certain where your allegience lies. ..This new, softer version is troubling to say the least.

“Well we’re looking at it from two different perspectives, and I understand yours. Mine is that when you’re not a legal professional, or used to seeing people accuse of something in writing..then putting it into a document that will likely be and remain public record permanently..it counts!”

Jahn — there’s a public relations aspect to this that isn’t in most cases, but unfortunately it’s all posturing at first in most legal cases.

So many cases start with the demand for one millllioooon dollars and later settle for $100 and 95 cents. Yet the shysters never blink an eye.

I would like to see Ronnie operate in Daboll’s system.
I would not mind if we brought the R&R back and drafted a QB, WR, TE, and the rest guards.
Anyone notice on “Game Changers” – the one featuring Gabbert and Ponder,
Incognito was the guest Center working with the two of them.
As much as I would like to get a future All Pro center in this draft, LG needs to be the focus because I think we can cement Incognito in for the 2011 season at center. This does not mean you pass on Wisniewski or Hudson, or even Kirkpatrick however.

there are another 4 mocks of miami taking colin at 15. i counted 27 networks and scouting reports of colin going into the first rd, or could go in the first rd. the more teams work kapernick out, the more they want him. he must be impressive in his workouts. some teams have Kaepernick as the best qb in the draft, and other teams have made public comments amazed at his velocity and strong arm. of the scouts that worked colin out, there have been no complaints of too long delivery, but instead they rave on colin and how quick the ball come out. the kid is got way better character than party boy mallett. the kaep train is taking more passengers every week

What I learned in the Game Changers segment featuring ponder and gabbert was that Gabbert really does not have that much on Ponder and when you factor Gabbert came from a spread, some might give the nod to Ponder.
Mallet, Ponder, or McElroy = most pro potential

O Rob YOU’RE A WIMP…THE HEAT WILL GET BEAT BY THE CELTICS..THEY WILL BEAT THEM EVERY GAME IN MIAMI THE HEAT MIGHT WIN ONE IN BOSTON CAUSE THEY PLAY TIGHT AT HOME….HEAT ARE EVIL AND EVIL LOSSES AT THE END..

Need Locker’s scrambling, with Dalton’s IQ, and with Mallet’s arm…
That’s your perfect QB!!! Everyone of these guys have their pros and cons…
Been watching Gruden’s QB program on NFLN…
Something about Locker, he’s smart and can make all the throws…
Mallet WILL be hit alot, so who knows how many injuries he will
have throughout his career…..
Eitherway… It’s a tough call!!!!!

They will trade down,they have takers,Atlanta,Philly or Indy,pick up that much needed 2nd rd pick! Brown resigns,on the trade down they will take a QB,2nd rd Hankerson,3rd rd TE,either DJ Williams/Housler,4th rd best available scat back,5th rd LB McCarthy/Mathews! Get OL in FA!

DD,
did you see the 7round mock from bleacherreport.com?
Suggested that San Diego might be our partner, them needing an edge rusher that may get taken by Jax or NE. That would net us a 3rd(80) and we only drop 3 spots.
They have us taking Mallett at 18, DJ @79, Tillman@80, etc.
it lays out pretty nice and realistic..
suggests we might even be able to trade down again to where you are talking w/Atl,Indy..
Doesn’t get us our second back but maybe 2 extra 3rds and the guy we want in the first!
I like that idea!

Ocala Howie says:
April 27, 2011 at 6:35 am
I know the Falcons fans are real happy Parcells came here. Parcells just added 3 more years of mediocrity to the ever growing list, while they got right back on track in one season…
GO PHINS!!!
_____________________________________
Are you serious?I would take Jake Long anyday of the week over Ryan.Long is the best OT in the game and a future HOFer you can’t the same things about Ryan.
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I wasnt worried to much about Long VS Ryan
Im just saying this team was a disaster when Parcells got here and its still a mess today…
GO PHINS!!!
______________________________________________

We are a mess yes but b4 the ancient one got here we were a joke each and ever week teams considered us an easy win can’t take that away from him.I will anyway because I have a deep hatred for Parcells but that’s just me being biased.

I find it very boring to have to read these 4-way previous “conversations” with one added zinger at the end…little help?
Dolphins are on the clock………….”To the liquor cabinet!!!!”
Champipple for everyone!

Ronne Brown has talent! Hopefully he will be back. Mid round running backs are a good option for us to compliment Brown. The problem with taking Mallet is he is just as unknown as someone we could get later in round 1. Trade down and take the best QB available when you do pick later. Then help him out with a speed guy in round 2. We have great possession receivers on the team now that are hard working and young. This team is not far away from being very good. We just need a few pieces. Defense is great and should get better!

OMAR KELLY was unsuccessful at achieving his childhood dream to become a super hero, so he figured he'd do the next best thing and become a journalist who fights against injustice, and searches for truth. After being bored to death reporting news and covering politics, he switched to sports.
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IZZY GOULD joined the Sun Sentinel in Feb. 2012 as a Senior Sports Reporter on the Miami Dolphins beat. He came to South Florida fresh off covering the University of Alabama football program, including its 2011 national championship team. More